PHOTOS Added (Post #23) - ARUBA exchange through "World Passport Collection"

[WelcomeHome]

A year ago, I requested my 1st "search" for an Aruba exchange through the DVC "World Passport Collection". My preference would have been the Marriott Ocean Club or the Marriott Surf Club since Marriott's are invariably considered to be the best, but I was delighted when I received a match for the "Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino" only 3 weeks after my search began!

Our 1-bedroom "family suite" was clean, well maintained and in very good condition. The balcony was MUCH larger than DVC and as a result we spent several very pleasant hours overlooking the view of the palm trees, hotel surroundings and the ocean. The staff was extremely responsive, professional and very friendly. Unlike DVC timeshares, the Renaissance provided daily maid service at no additional charge!

There were some differences from a DVC 1-bedroom in that the washer/dryers were NOT in the room inself, there were built-in cabinet burners instead of a full oven and there was no jacuzzi in the room. The family suites are located across the street from the main hotel/casino and right on the beach. Access to the main hotel was always provided INSTANTLY via chauffered golf cart if desired. The property and grounds were very well mainicured and in excellent shape. Everything was clean and beautiful! Instant access to the downtown area with all the stores and restaurants within walking distance was a pleasure.

The hotel boasts a private island which was a HUGE plus! A 12 minute boat ride to “Flaminco Island” was really paradise. It was immaculate, georgous, perfectly maintained and an absolute joy - we always had access to a beautiful shaded spot with table, chairs and thatched umbrella regardless of what time of day we arrived.

For my wife and I, the most amazing part of the whole vacation was how completely un-Disney this trip was! After several consecutive years of DVC Disneyworld vacations, we forgot how wonderful and exciting exploring different places can be! We really felt like we were on another planet - it was the best vacation we’ve had in years. And of course, we did all the first time tourist stuff: Sunset Cruise on a catamaran, Jeep safari along the North Coast, Excellent Snorkeling, a “SeaTrek Air Helmet” walk 20 feet under water which was completely amazing, and an elegant restaurant on the beach for Valentine’s day - when I say on the beach I mean the table and chairs were all outdoors on the sand a few yards from the ocean - ladies were told to simply hang their pocketbook on the palm tree adjacent to your table!

While some DVC members feel that a “World Passport” exchange might not be the "ABSOLUTE" best use of DVC points from an “efficiency” and “value” perspective; I strongly believe it’s a GREAT deal from MANY other perspectives:

1) For 160 points & $95 (or approx 10 more points on the rental market), we got a perfectly respectable 1-bedroom suite compared to 270 points for a 1-bedroom at one of the Disneyworld resorts for a week - THAT'S A DVC BARGAIN IN MY BOOK! We stayed a whole week in a great hotel in fantastic Aruba for 110 POINTS LESS than it would cost to spend a week in a DVC Disneyworld resort!

2) The “change of pace” in visiting different parts of the world is an incredibly refreshing compliment to the value of DVC. The convenience and ease and advantages of a "World Passport Collection" exchange makes it an EXCELLENT deal in my opinion - especially when used for an occasional fantastic, amazing "change of pace!"

I hope this info was helpful to my fellow DVC owners. If any of you have ever concidered a "dip" into a "World Passport Collection" exchange, I sincerely wish you a very enthusiastic GO FOR IT!


Best wishes,
Dave

P.S. - I added photos to post #23 on this thread as several people requested!

 

[mom2rb]

Thank you for your trip report. DH and I are trying to choose our next vacation and yours sounds wonderful.

 

[CarolMN]

It sounds wonderful! Thanks for taking the time to share.

My only hesitation would be the airfare - without actually checking, I'm betting that MSP to Aruba would be EXPENSIVE. But maybe worth it, LOL.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

So glad to hear your report!! I have been searching through alot of the II locations. So would you choose this resort over your preferred choices now that you have stayed there? Did you feel Aruba to be "safe" ? I will take note of this resort. Thanks again for your report!

 

[WelcomeHome]

Here's the answers to your questions:

1) Roundtrip non-stop airfare from Long Island, New York to Orlando usually runs $214 per person on Southwest. Roundtrip non-stop airfare from Long Island, New York to Aruba ran $378 per person on American. It was worth every penny!

2) We felt perfectly safe at all times. My wife usually took an evening walk alone through town almost every night without a single fear or problem. The security force in Aruba is excellent!

3) As wonderful as the Renaissance was, my first choice would still be the Marriot Ocean Club or the Marriot Surf Club. We visited both Marriott hotels during our stay in Aruba and I have to admit it's very difficult to beat a Mariott. It's hard to compete with Marriott's level of elegance and sophistication - even for our beloved DVC resorts!

Best wishes,
Dave

 

[luna99]

thank you for this report! I'm not a DVC member just yet but am inching my way there but I also want to see the rest of the world and am pleased to know that you feel using your DVC point towards going somewhere other than disney was a good value!

thanks again!

btw, DH and I went to Aruba for our honeymoon last year.. isn't it beautiful?! We felt very safe the entire time, even when walking down the beaches at night all alone!

 

[AKV707]

Thanks for the report. Glad to hear that positive report on World Passport. As a relatively new member, this is good to hear.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Thank you for sharing all the details!!

I think the 160 point exchanges are very reasonable

Did you book your excursions by yourself?

We are spending a day in Aruba on the repo cruise and that Air Helmet walk sounds really great.

 

[tomandrobin]

Sounds great and a successful trade like that is excellent. I too would have searched for the Marriotts, so its nice to read about another great option.

 

[purpliequeen]

Wow!!! I want to do this!!!

 

[lisaviolet]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for providing daydreaming on a gloomy, dark Sunday afternoon.

Sounds so lovely. Thanks. Portraits of Aruban beaches floating in my head are going to take me all the way to NBA All Star tip off time. Yes, I know the post wasn't just for me but good work regardless.

Lisa

 

[lisaviolet]

Hey Dave,

I just realized that daydreaming will only take me so far. Pics please.

Thank you.

 

[Marshay]

thanks for this report! I wish there was a separate section for Trip Reports just on non-DVC resorts so we could learn more about the other places we can go. (Maybe there is and I just haven't found it yet???)

Anyway, would love to see some pics of the resort and the private island. We went to Aruba in2000 and loved it! Can't wait to go back. Next time we'll go through DVC because I, too, think that only using 160 points is a great deal!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thank you for telling us of your experience! I have very fond memories of vacationing in Aruba and it's one of my favorite ports to visit on a cruise. You've given me a great idea of how to use some points.

Bobbi

 

[travelbug]

Thanks for an excellent trip report! I enjoyed all the details, and I'm always interested in other people's experiences with "World Passport" options. It sounds like a lovely, memorable vacation.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

How many will a 1 bedroom sleep?

 

[Lorelai71]

thanks for this report! I wish there was a separate section for Trip Reports just on non-DVC resorts so we could learn more about the other places we can go. (Maybe there is and I just haven't found it yet???)

Anyway, would love to see some pics of the resort and the private island. We went to Aruba in2000 and loved it! Can't wait to go back. Next time we'll go through DVC because I, too, think that only using 160 points is a great deal!

I really think we need a forum for Interval and World Passport. Is anyone else interested in this?

Thanks WelcomHome for the trip report. I actually think this is something we might want to do. Yes, please post some pics if possible.

 

[disneymom8589]

I enjoyed reading your positive experience with II. We are looking forward to using them one day. Maybe I missed it, but what month did you go?

Count me in as one who would also like to see some pictures!

 

[mbw12]

i LOVE hearing about peoples experiences with trading out thru the world passport collection!!! I really want to start using this option someday! I also agree that it would be great to have a forum where people post their trip reports of exchanges! Yes, we do read an awful lot about how to some people it is not the "best" use of points....but everyone can use the points to how they want! I, for one, would love to read MORE about exchange options and experiences.

and I AGREE....we need pictures from the OP!!!!!!!

 

[Anal Annie]

Thanks for a positive outlook on II!! We purchased our DVC with every intent to use II from time to time to trade out for other destinations! We went to Aruba on our honeymoon 14 years ago...at the time we stayed in a Hol. Inn next to one of the Marriotts...we walked over there every day as "wannabees"! I can't wait to have the time to try to use our DVC to go back! (I'm thinking maybe in 2010!!)

I totally agree that for 160 points it's a decent trade for some destinations. As for stays at WDW we will likely stick to studios because I can't see parting with the extra points for a one bedroom. I mean, I think you have to know the market and know what you're trading for. There are some places I just wouldn't see it being worth it - but definitely for someplace like Aruba or Hawaii or something. I would think some of those places would be quite a bargain. Maybe more like a break even in Mexico or something but I am really glad to see someone else who thinks trades are worthwhile. I need more poins!!!!! Oh. And more PTO!